Stephanie de Montigny
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Stephanie de Montigny
  • Boss Mama Diaries
  • About Stephanie
  • Work With Me
    • Sponsored Content
    • Boss Mama Education
    • Product Photography
    • Image Subscription Plans
    • Brand Portraits & Headshots
    • Family & Newborn Photography
22Dec

Accidental Vacation

As if 2020 hadn’t caused enough craziness and unpredictable drama, life handed me an accidental “vacation” this past week when we found ourselves without internet for EIGHT entire days—a work deferral as I call it. I know I’ve been living on the she of burnout for a big part of this year, but this was the worst possible time it could have happened. I was knee-deep in client print orders, onboarding a handful of clients,
03Dec

The Dark Side of Mom Guilt

I often find myself feeling guilty of *something* almost every day and after a while it becomes too much to bear and I break down. And not just screaming back at my toddler when she is in the middle of a tantrum, but full-blown tears of feeling useless and like a terrible mother, for being stuck in this uncontrollable situation (cranky toddler + pandemic isolation and fear). I really wish it weren’t there case, but
12Nov

Into The Woods, We Go

With the beautiful weather that we’ve had this week, we were able to go play in the woods without worrying about snow gear and it made is so much more fun. I even brought along the big camera to capture some end of season memories of our forest school (we don’t go nearly as much in the winter!), and we even stumbled upon an empty corn field. This girl loves her outdoors time! Until our
09Nov

The Opposite Of Homesick

Is there such a thing as the opposite of being homesick? If so, that’s what I am. I don’t know about you, but I am not okay. I’ve been powering through these last several months, with the hope that things will get better, but they haven’t, and it’s finally hitting me. HARD. I am talking daily breakdowns, snapping at everything, unable to appreciate things because all I feel is rage and sadness, and it feels
02Nov

When Experiences Matter Most | Halloween 2020

Halloween might look a little different around here this year because of the city-wide ban on trick or treating, but that doesn’t mean everything is cancelled! Heck, most of 2020 has looked a little different because of the pandemic! But just because a wrench has been thrown into our plans, doesn’t mean we can’t pivot and make the best of it. So, while we have always been a family who prefers experiences over ‘things’, this
14Oct

The meal delivery service for babies

I knew from the beginning that I only wanted to give my kiddo homemade food. Well, as much as possible because who are we kidding!? When we were thrown the added challenge of dealing with her additional allergies (household total of nuts, soy, legumes, dairy, and non-baked eggs), it really meant that we NEEDED to only give her homemade items to make sure she was safe. Yes, it is work to make her food, BUT
03Oct

Wanting Space Doesn’t Make You A Bad Parent

As a parent, you love your child(ren). It doesn’t always come right away, but it grows more and more everyday. Even days where you consider hiding in the closet just to get a break. The unconditional love that most often accompanies motherhood is one of the strongest bonds you will ever know, BUT sometimes mama just needs a break. And that’s okay! Non-parents may give you the side-eye while saying “you chose to be a
17Sep

The One Move That Saved My Business

Let me tell you about that time where I forgot to bring important documents and photos with me on a CEO Vacation and was about to miss a career make-or-break deadline. Yes, me, the queen of planning forgot an important deadline. Shit! Well, shit happens, but it just proves that to-do lists are life and you absolutely need to have one (or equivalent) to survive being your own boss. And life in general, if I
28Aug

The Two Week Wait Sucks

⁣We weren’t going to say anything until we were pregnant and had the chance to inform family, but this thing is—you ARE a kind of family for me. You’re here with me every day as I tell my story, as I share the good and the bad, and this is a part of that. So here it is—here is this big news. It’s official: we are trying for baby number two! the ups and downs
22Aug

The CEO Vacation

Let’s be real: entrepreneurs don’t really take vacations. Well, we totally could, but with the unfortunate sense of entitlement these days, people move on to the next business isf they don’t hear back within a day or so. It is sad, but unless people already know and love you, they tend not to wait. Thus the “CEO Vacation” was born, where you don’t schedule any specific work time, but you make sure to check your
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WELCOME TO THE BOSS MAMA DIARIES

Discussing the daily wins and struggles of being a work-from-home boss trying to raise a business and a baby at the same time, amidst the family adventures, while also trying to feed a household full of allergies.

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Stephanie de Montigny 🇨🇦


One of my favourite activities pre-pandemic was th
One of my favourite activities pre-pandemic was thrifting. The thrill of the find, the adventure of the search, and the pride of a great score.

I am so happy to finally be back at it again! Even more fun and fulfilling when personal shopping for others. 🤍🛍🖤 

#thriftedinottawa #bossmamathrifters #bossmamadiaries #thrillofthethrift #ontariothrift #ottawathrift #almontethrifting #ottawamom

Smiling photos are great, but the connection betwe
Smiling photos are great, but the connection between loved ones is what makes them perfectly real 🤍 

📷: @purenaturalnewborn (filter added) —> SWIPE for originals

Found this gold mine in my drafts. You’re welcom
Found this gold mine in my drafts. You’re welcome. 

#bossmamadiaries #bossmamatips #raisingbabiesandbusinesses #bossmom #ottawavalleymoms #ottawabusinessowners #reeltipsforsmallbusiness

PLOT TWIST! I know those grass shoots look so neut
PLOT TWIST! I know those grass shoots look so neutral and cozy, but it’s actually the certificate of membership to the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) because it’s only earned with talent and skill rather than the annual fee. Merit awards are so much more meaningful and filled with pride. 

ps: it’s NOT ridiculous if it makes you happy 🤎

#ottawaphotographer #almontephotographer #ottawanewbornphotographer #professionalphotographersofcanada #ppocaccreditedphotographer #accreditedphotographer #ontariophotographer

Teaching kiddos that invasive species can still ha
Teaching kiddos that invasive species can still have a purpose, and to use it as best you can (even if that means tearing it down to build wreaths or letting it grow as a privacy screen). 

Spending time outdoors doesn’t have to be hard or boring, nor does it have to be complicated 🍂 

FOLLOW for more daily wins and struggles of being a work from home boss raising babies and businesses at the same time 👌🏻

#1000hoursoutside #raisingindependentkids #fallinontario #creepingvirginiavines #DIYwreaths #handmadewreath

My little Halloween cuties 😍

Check out past y
My little Halloween cuties 😍 

Check out past years of #deMontignyHalloween 🎃


We were prepared again this year with our letterbo
We were prepared again this year with our letterboard for little miss to go out on her first trick or treating trip to actually collect some goodies. 

At the treat station, we had nut-free snacks, themed stickers for the littles, and useful “toys” for the older allergy kiddos. 

Hopefully next year we get more visitors 🤞🏻🎃👻 

#happyhalloween2022 #almonteontario #bossmamadiaries #allergymama #tealpumpkinproject #nutfreehalloween 

ps: shout out to @dempstersbakery for the gifted decorations and non-food goodies 🫶🏻

Here’s a sneak peek at how the rainbow rack is c
Here’s a sneak peek at how the rainbow rack is coming along. Cast your guesses now at the final project! 

HINT: its original purpose is over-the-toilet storage

Follow along for the final reveal, more fun DIY projects, and daily wins & struggles of being a work from home boss raising babies and businesses at the same time. 

#bossmamarenos #bossmamadiaries #diyupcycle #upcycledfurniture #ottawadiy #thriftedinottawa #almontefinds #buynothingproject #raisingindependentkids #savetheplanet

Another warm fall this year and I’m loving it!

Another warm fall this year and I’m loving it! 

#fallishere #fallinottawa #almonteontario #mississippimillsontario #almonte #almonteriverwalk  #bossmamadiaries #1000hoursoutside

Our first group outing as a family was nothing sho
Our first group outing as a family was nothing short of stressful, but oh so nice to be able to see family members that we haven’t seen in months (some years!). 

We wore masks in group settings to be extra cautious, and took advantage to dress up for some cute family photos. 

Bonus that the weather was beautiful that day and perfect for a wedding and an evening at the park for kiddos ☀️

I cannot believe little miss will be starting scho
I cannot believe little miss will be starting school next year! I guess I can’t call her a toddler anymore. 

Officially introducing my preschooler 🎒📚✏️

Little miss is so proud of her garden yield this y
Little miss is so proud of her garden yield this year. The tomato plant did exceptionally well and made up for the teeny time brussel sprouts and failed pumpkin. 

Deliciously yummy and has us excited for next year! 

FOLLOW for more daily wins and struggles of raising babies and businesses at the same time 👌🏻 

#bossmamadiaries #goodthingsgrowinontario #almontefamily #toddlergardening #sustainableeating #ontariovegetables #raisingbabiesandbusinesses #ottawamom #raisingindependentkids #homegrownveggies



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